Power-generating system



J. M. PHILBROOK.

POWER GENERATING S YSTEM. APPLICATION FILED No.12, 191a.

Patented May 23, 1922.

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J. M. PHILBROOK.

POWER GENERATING SYSTEM.

FK'PLICATION FILED DEC. 12, I918- 1 416,86?, Patented May 23, 1922.

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PATENT @FIFHQE.

JOSHUA IVL PHILBROOK, OF SCAPPOOSE, OREGON.

POWER-GENERATING SYSTEM.

Application filed December 12, 1918.

'lumbia. in the -State of Oregon. have in vented a certain new and useful Power- (ireneratiug System. of which the toll'owing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. My invention relates to the promotion of the generation of power, and has for a principal object direct means for converting motive power derived from impulses intermittently or at intervals into a constant or unintermitting motive power.

Another object is to augment the constant power derived from an intermitting source by accretion obtained from said source independent of the source considered only as a motive power.

More specifically, the object of my invention is to provide means for utilizing the force of recurrent explosions to build up a source of fluid pressure supply from which an ultimate constant motive power may be drawn at will.

The fluid pressure supply which I employ as an ultimate force may be either air or water. each of which has its advantages.

Air is especially suitable for smaller plants, although it may be used for large ones, and in its use provision is made for utilizing directly the heat generated in producing the explosions in addition to the motive power of the explosion as a means for augmenting the ultimate constant power.

ater, on the other hand, may perhaps be 'used to greater economy.

Figure I presents by way of example amedial vertical sectional view partially in elevation of apparatus embodying my in vention and afi'ords diagrammatic illustration of my invention adapted for the utilization of air a an ultimate motive fluid of constant force.

Fig. II correspondingly illustrates appa- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1922.

Serial No. 266,467.

ratus embodying my invention adapted for the utilization of water as the ultimate motive fluid.

Fig. III is a detail vertical section of afloat-controlled electric circuit-maker applicable to both forms of apparatus shown in the preceding figures.

The following description applies first to Figure I.

Referring to the numeral on the draw ings. 1 indicates an airtight reservoir which may be constructed of any suitable material and acccording to any preferred method and design. For diagrammatical purposes it is sufficiently illustrated as made in one piece and integrally with a diaphragm 2 that extends partially across its upper internal diameter, and likewise with a chamber 3 that depends from the diaphragm and extends downwardly to a point above the bottom 4 of the reservoir 1. Both the reservoir and the chamber 3 may be of any suitable and preferred shape, but that of the latter is preferably cylindrical.

The space between the reservoir and chamber is closed by a transverse partition 5 preferably located near the top of the chamber 3. It is provided with one or more inwardly opening springsupported valves 7 and one or more spring-depressed outwardly opening valves 8.

IVithin the chamber 3 I provide a sufiiciently close fitting bouyant member or piston-float 9. It is preferably a hollow structure whose top 10 is preferably overlaid with a covering of fire brick or other heat-resisting material, so as to constitute a floor to the combustion chamber 11 that is defined by the top 10 and the side walls of the chamber 3 and diaphragm 2. Into the interior of thecombustion chamber lead one or more pairs of pipes, whereof 12 indicates an air-supply pipe and 14 a fluidfuel supply pipe. Those pipes are relatively proportioned and regulated, as to supply, so as to discharge into the combustion chamber air and fluid fuel (gas, pulverulent fuel, or oil,) in proportions and under pressure suitable to effect an explosive compound. Means for regulating the communication and ignition of an explosive charge at predetermined inervals of recurrence, being well understood engines, for example, are deemed to require in themselves neither illustration nor description'.

For utilizing the waste products of combustion as well as for scavening the combustion chamber, I provide an eduction pipe 15 that communicates with the interior of the combustion chamber through a valve port 16 within which is seated a spring-closed valve 17 whose stem 18 is coaxial with the core of a solenoid 1.9 to which it is secured or of which. it is made a part.

, matically effected and timed by a float 26 that works loosely at any convenient point of disposition within the space between the side walls of the reservoir 1 and chamber 3. The float 26 is provided with a stem 27 that fits snugly within bearings 28 and-29 provided for it in the partition,5 and top of the reservoir 1, respectively, the float'being of suflicient weight and buoyancy to insure .its rise and fall with change of the water level 30 within the reservoir 1. The rising ofthe float 26 to'a point predetermined to correspond with that at which the water lever 30 reaches substantially'its maximum stage is timed with reference to discharge from the pipes 12 and 14:, so that contact between the terminals is substantially synchronous with an interval between deliveries therefromof. successive explosive charges into the combustion* chamber 11. The effect of the 'contactbetween the terminals 22 and 23, as will hereinafter more fully appear, is to open the valve port 16 by actuation of the valve 17, substantially at the moment when an-explosive charge has done its work, and to close it-preparatory to the admission into the chamber 11 of a fresh explosive charge.

The eduction pipe 15 is constant oper- -ativecommunication with a low pressure .40 and the interior of the pipe 15,

turbine 35, whereby the residual pressure of the spent charges or waste products of com.- bustion from the chamber 11 may be utilizedas often as the valve- 17 is actuated to. open the port 16. By aid of a pipe 31 communicating between the tail of the turbine riving power in addition to that of the spent products of combustion within said pipe may be contributed, and the two turbines 35 and 40 compounded.

The reservoir 1 is a container for both air and water, the body of the latter being in dicated by the referencenumeral 36in Fig.

I of the drawings. Its volume is fixed and preferably so roportioned to the capacity of the reservoir and the displacement efficiency of the piston-float 9, as to be kept confined within the reservoir 1 well below the partition 5. The upper part'of the reservoir is "reserved for air, that portion 37' above the partition 5 constituting an air tank or compartment for the storage of compressed air; r

In this connection it may be emphasized that the drawing is diagrammatic only, no attempt being made therein more than to suggest adequate air storage capacity of'the tank or means of provision therefor. Such details are, of course, merely mechanical and matters of degree, to be varied at discretion. Illustration, however, is made of an extension of said air storage compartment as'indicated by the numeral 38 to cor- 85 respond, substantially .with the length of the eduction pipe 15; but such illustration. is also diagrammatic and is intended only to indicate provision of means for keeping the waste products of combustion that are contained within the pipe 15 inside of the ,volume of air stored within the reservoir 1 until they may give up substantially all their heat in excess of atmospheric temperature, thereby contributing additional expansion to the air within the storage compartment.

40 indicates an air turbine engine which is illustrated by .way of example'of the principal means of utilizing the power derived from storage of compressed air within the compartment 37. The secondary turbine 35 cooperates and is compounded with the main turbine 40 in the manner already specified.

Description of the operation of the form of embodiment of my invention as specified above appearing to be here in order, it may be explained thatthe reservoir 1 being supplied with a sufficient volume of water 36. 110 the apperatus is ready for service. The weight of the water lifts the piston-float 9 towards the diaphragm 2 to its limit of up ward movement. which may be made to depend upon equilibrium of the forces em- 1-1;, ployed. If now an explosive charge of air and fluid fuel is admitted through the pipes .12 and 14 into the combustion chamber 11 and there ignited, the effect will be to drive the piston-float 9 down against the volume of 12 water 36 and to raise its level 30 against the volume of air-confined above it within the reservoir 1 and its ramifications or extensions, the valve (or valves) 7 closing to prevent escape of air and the valve (or valves) 8 opening to receive and "'to entrap within the storage compartment such air as the pressure exerted may drive beyond them. Substantially at the same time that the member 9 reaches its limit of downward movement, or in other words, when the force of the explosion is spent, the rise of the level 30 causes the float 26 to lift the terminal 23 into contact with the terminal 22, and thereby, in the manner previously specified, to actuate the valve and open the port 16. Relief of air pressure above the piston-float 9 enables its buoyancy aided by air pressure confined below the partition 5 to respond promptly to a drop of the level 30 in accordance with the well known hydrostatic law. At the drop of the level 30 the valve (or valves) 7 opens to admit influx of air. Thereupon the cycle of operation described continues to repeat itself until an equilibrium of forces is established, which is in practice, a state not to be reached so long as air is drawn from the compartment. 7

My invention conten'iplates the generation of high pressure air storage and by the employment of apparatus of requisite dimen sions storage capacity to a practically unlimited extent may be attained.

In the form of embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. Iprovision is made for an intake of air at intervals, and for the employment of a fixed volume of liquid as an hydraulic medium of compression, air being the power-generating medium.

In Fig. II the means illustrated operates upon the same principle, but, dispensing with the use of air, employs water only as the power-generating medium.

Referring to the numerals on Fig. II, 50 indicates a tank having adequate means (not illustrated) of water supply and discharge adapted to maintain therein a substantially constant level 51. Supported within the tank 50 is a chamber 53 that corresponds in function and substantially in form to the chamber 3 above described. The chamber 53 communicates through a passage 54 and port 55 with a stand-pipe 56. The stand-pipe is representative of any form of water reservoir within which a head of water may be maintained, the stand-pipe form being selected only for convenience in making diagram matic illustration of my invention.

A port or plurality of ports 57 affords means of communication for water between the interior of the tank 50 and that of the chamber 58. An inwardly opening caged valve 59 controls admission of water from the passage through each port 5", and one or more outwardly opening caged valves 60 controls admission of water from the passage 54 to the stand-pipe 56. v

61 indicates a piston-float corresponding in form, function, and operation to thepiston-float'9 already described. Its top 62 forms the bottom of a combustion chamber 63 which is covered by a transverse partition 65 that completes the chamber 53. An air I supply pipe 66 and a fluid-fuel supply pipe 67 communicate, respectively, with the interior of the combustion chamber 63 in the manner and for a purpose corresponding to that of the pipes 12 and 14.

Means for scavenging the combustion chamber are necessary and may consist of a by-pass 69 into and across which the partition 65 extends. An inwardly opening valve 70 seated in a port in the said partition within the interior of the by-pass 69 controls discharge of spent products of combustion from the chamber 63. and may be operated by a solenoid 71 corresponding in every respect to the solenoid 19.

As has been specified the float 26 is applicable to either form of embodiment of my invention herein shown. as a means of actu ating contact-making terminals 22 and 23 for making and breaking circuit through the solenoid 71 in like manner as through the solenoid 1.).

In Fig. II the float 26 is shown within a siphon 72 that contains a confined and fixed volume of water whose rise and fall within the siphon for actuating said float is effected by a plunger 73 on the bottom of the piston-float (31.

The chamber 53 is shown in Fig. II as provided with an extension 74 that constitutes the shell of a boiler having tubes 75 and a stack 7 6. Those elements are shown by way of example of available means for utilizing the heat of the waste products of combustion from the chamber 633 but are non-essential. 77 indicates a water turbine. that is in operative communication with the stand-pipe 56 as through a service pipe 78. It is representative of means for utilizing the power of the head of water within the stand-pipe.

By way of description of the operation ot apparatus shown in Fig. II, it is necessary only to supplement the description of the operation of apparatus shown in Fig. I. Each pulsation of the piston-float 61 drives the water in the bottom of the chamber 53 and the passage 54 with violent impact against the valve or valves 60. thereby lifting the same and causing with each impact a quantity of water to enter the stand-pipe 56, wherein the closing of the valve 60 entraps it. Simultaneously. of course, the plunger 73 actuates the float26 through the. uplift of. the level of water within the siphon 72. As soor as the explosive force which drives the piston-float 61 is spent the weight of the water lifts it for repetition of its operation, the valve 5!) opening to admit influx of a quantity of water through the port or ports 57 proportio ed to that drivci. by impact as described through the port or ports 55.

What I claim is:

1. In a power generating system, the combination of a cylinder having therein a combustion chamber spaced from the walls of said cylinder and open at its lower end, a body of liquid in the cylinder partially filling the combustion chamber and constituting a seal for the lower end of the chamber, there being a space in said cylinder above the body of liquid, a piston float in said chamber actuated through its upward stroke by the rise in level of said fluid, means for admitting air into said cylinder above the body of liquid, a valve controlled exhaust for the air from said cylinder, a receptacle for the compressed air issuing from said cylinder, and means -for supplymg at intervals and igniting explosive charges within said chamber against the face of said piston.

2. In a power generating system, the combination with an engine comprising a combustion chamber open at one end, a pistonfloat operatively disposed within its .open end, and operative means for supplying and igniting explosive charges within said chamber, of a receptaclein operative communication with the piston-float and containing a power-storage fluid, of a liquid medium operatively disposed between the piston and the power-storage fluid that serves to support the 'piston within the combustion chamber and to transmit accretionsiof power im- JOSHUA M. PHILBROOK.

Witnesses JOHN B. CLELANI), JOSEPH L. ATKINS. 

